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Karnataka State Syllabus Class 9 English Prose Chapter 2 The Three Questions
The Three Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes
Before you read :
Discuss the following points in groups and present your views to the class:
Question 1.
The best time to do something.
Answer:
Morning today and above all ‘Now’ is the best time to do something.
Question 2.
The most important person in your life.
Answer:
The most important person is the person we are with at a particular moment.
Question 3.
The most important thing to do in your life.
Answer:
Sincere, conscious and selfless ‘Duty’ according to the time and situation, is the most important thing to do.
Share your responses.
Question 1.
What thought came to the king?
Answer:
The thought that came to the king was that he would never fail if he knew these three. things.
Question 2.
Write the three questions for which the king wanted to have answers.
Answer:
The three questions for which the king wanted to have answers were:
(a) What is the right time to begin something?
(b) Whom should a king consider the most important?
(c) What is the most important thing for a king to do?
Question 3.
Was the king satisfied with the answers? If ‘yes’ why? If ‘no’, why?
Answer:
No. The king was not satisfied with the answers. Because the answers to his question were so varied.
Question 4.
Who did the king decide to seek the advice from?
Answer:
He decided to seek the advice of a certain hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
II. Check your comprehension:
Question 1.
How did the king treat the wounded person?
Answer:
The king washed and covered the wound with his handkerchief, but the blood would not stop flowing. He re-dressed the wound until the bleeding stopped.
Question 2.
Why did the bearded man swear revenge on the king?
Answer:
The king had killed his brother and had seized his property. So the bearded man swore revenge on the king.
Question 3.
Who had wounded the man and why?
Answer:
The bodyguard of the King wounded the man who recognised him as the enemy while leaving his hiding place.
Question 4.
Why did the man say that he would serve the king as his most faithful servant?
Answer:
The man would have died if the king had not dressed his wounds though the man had wished to kill the king. The king had saved his life. So the man said that he would serve the king as his most faithful servant.
III. Check your comprehension:
Share your responses:
Question 1.
What did the king promise the man?
Answer:
King not only forgave him but he promised the man to give back his property.
Question 2.
The hermit said that the king had been answered. If you agree, what was the answer to the first question?
Answer:
Yes, I agree with the hermit that the king had been answered to the first question. There is only one best time that is “Now”. It is the most important time because it is the only time we have any power to act. The king took pity on hermit and helped him in digging the beds. He showed mercy on the wounded man and saved him by nursing.
Question 3.
Why did the hermit say that he was the most important man?
Answer:
The hermit said that he was the most important man because if he had not given the king the spade, for digging the beds, he would have gone away, and then the bearded man would have attacked him and killed.
Question 4.
According to the hermit, ‘now’ is the most important time. Why?
Answer:
There is only one time that is important and that time is “Now,” It is the most important time because it is the only time we have any power to act.
Question 5.
What according to the hermit was the most important business?
Answer:
According to the hermit, the most impor¬tant business is to do good to the person who is with us at any particular moment. Because we are sent into this world for . that purpose alone.
Vocabulary:
VI. Study the words
Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the word given in brackets.
- The ___________ said that only fresh evidence would make him change his ___________ (judge).
- I didn’t notice any serious ___________ of opinion among the debaters, although they ___________ from one another over small points, (differ)
- It’s a fairly simple question to ___________ but will he accept my ___________ as final ? (answer)
- Hermits are ___________ men. How they acquire their ___________ no one can tell. (wise)
- It isn’t ___________ that ___________ should always be the mother of invention, (necessary)
- The committee has ___________ to make Jagadish captain of the team. The ___________ is likely to please everyone.(decide)
- Asking for ___________ is as noble as willingness to ___________ (forgive)
Answer:
- judge, judgment
- difference, differed
- answer, answer
- wise, wisdom
- necessary, necessity
- decided, decision
- forgiveness, forgive
V2. Fill in the blanks using the phrases given in brackets. Lookup a dictionary, if necessary. (Use them in their correct forms.)
(pour in, tired of, be weary of, known for, come round, make peace, care for, look after)
The old father 1 his mischievous son. The son was 2 for his bad deeds everywhere. He was so 3 his son’s misdeeds that often there used to be bitter quarrels between them. The old man decided not to 4 him anymore. One day the son was knocked down by a speeding vehicle.
His condition was so serious that the father decided to 5 with his son. He 6 all he had on the treatment of his son. He 7 him in such a way that the son 8 very soon.
Answer:
- was weary of
- known for
- tired of
- care for
- made peace
- poured in
- looked after
- came round Language in Use
Look at the following sentences that appear in the story:
- I was seen by your men.
- You have been answered.
The sentences above are in passive voice form. The passive form is employed when the ‘work done’ is to be given more importance than the ‘person who has done the work’.
The sentences in passive voice form can be changed into the active voice form effecting some changes. Here are some examples.
Changing simple statements from active voice to passive voice.
My mother answered all the questions correctly. (Active)
All the questions were answered correctly by my mother.
or
All the questions were answered by my mother, correctly. (Passive)
Changing interrogative sentences from active voice to passive voice.
Who built the Taj Mahal? (Active)
or
By whom was the Taj Mahal built? (Passive)
Changing imperative sentences from active voice to passive voice.
Kick all of them out. (Active)
Let all of them be kicked out. (Passive)
It should be remembered that a passive form has a specific area of use. Attempt should not be made to change every sentence in the Active form into the Passive form. The changes should always be sensible.
Task 1. Read the following news item that appeared, in a newspaper.
Some rogues engaged in trafficking of children kidnapped a smart school-going boy. A few pedestrians saw the incident. They requested some youth standing nearby to save the boy. The youth who ran after the rogues saved the boy. The on lookers appreciated the bravery of the youth.
Re-write the above paragraph starting as under.
A smart school-going boy was kidnapped by some rogues engaged in ____________
Answer:
A smart school-going boy was kidnapped by some rogues engaged in trafficking of children. The incident was seen by a few pedestrians were: Some youth standing nearby was requested by them to save the boy. The boy was saved by the youth who ran after the rogues. The bravery of the youth was appreciated by the onlookers.
Task 2. Complete the paragraph using the passive forms of the verbs given in brackets.
The World Environment Day is 1 (observe) on June 5th every year. Millions of saplings are 2 (plant) by responsible citizens, world over. In schools and colleges, students are 3 (give) the task of picking all non-bio-degradable materials like plastic. They are 4 (tell) how to keep the environment free of pollution.
Answer:
- observed
- planted
- given
- told
Task 3. Collect a few newspaper headings and find out whether they are in the active voice or the passive voice. Paste them in a scrapbook.
Here is an example for you.
“Three terrorists were shot dead.”
Answer:
Class activity.
Practice writing:
Discuss in groups and write a story using the clues given.
A small lonely railway station of a remote village ______ bad winter night ______dogs howl-ing. no lights ______ A passenger waiting for the train arrives… Gets into the compartment______ only one traveller is there ______ he asks the new incumbent if he believed in ghosts ______ this man says ‘no’______ the other traveller disappears.
Answer:
Class Activity.
The Three Questions Additional Questions and Answers
I. Four alternatives are given below each question/ incomplete statements. Choose the most appropriate one.
Question 1.
The number of questions for which the king wanted to have the answer:
(a) Two
(b) Three
(c) Four
(d) Five.
Answer:
(b) Three.
Question 2.
Some advised the king that he needed the _________who would help him act at the proper time:
(a) Army of strong soldiers.
(b) Council of Wisemen.
(c) MagiciAnswer:
(d) Doctors.
Answer:
(b) Council of Wisemen.
Question 3.
The king was not satisfied with answers given by the people because:
(a) Answers were irrelevant.
(b) Answers were so different.
(c) He could not understand the answers.
(d) He could not follow the suggested answers.
Answer:
(b) Answers were so different.
Question 4.
King decided to seek the advice of:
(a) Certain magician
(b) Certain doctor
(c) Certain Priest
(d) Certain hermit.
Answer:
(d) Certain hermit.
Question 5.
As the king came near the hermit’s hut, he saw the hermit:
(a) Sitting in front of his hut.
(b) Sleeping.
(c) Digging the ground in front of his hut.
(d) Cutting the tree.
Answer:
(c) Digging the ground in front of his hut.
Question 6.
The wounded man was a:
(a) Neighbor of hermit
(b) Friend of the king
(c) Enemy of the hermit
(d) Enemy of the king.
Answer:
(d) Enemy of the king.
Question 7.
The wounded man made a plan to kill:
(a) The king
(b) The hermit
(c) The bodyguard of the king
(d) Both the king and the hermit.
Answer:
(a) The king.
Question 8.
Wounded man made a plan to kill the king because :
(a) King killed his brothers and seized his property.
(b) King killed his parents.
(c) King made a plan to kill him.
(d) He wanted to take his kingdom.
Answer:
(a) King killed his brothers and seized his property.
Question 9.
The man was wounded by:
(a) the strangers
(b) the king’s soldiers
(c) the king’s bodyguard
(d) himself
Answer:
(c) the king’s bodyguard.
Question 10.
According to the hermit, the most important time to begin something is:
(a) morning
(b) now
(c) afternoon
(d) evening
Answer:
(b) now.
Question 11.
The king was very happy to have made peace his enemy so easily. The correct preposition to be filled in the blank is.
(a) to
(b) with
(c) for
(d) on
Answer:
(b) with
Question 12.
King treated the wounded man kindly. The underlined word is.
(a) noun
(b) adjective
(c) verb
(d) pronoun.
Answer:
(b) adjective.
Question 13.
Many wise men came to the king they all answered his question differently. The correct conjunction to be filled in blank is:
(a) and
(b) because
(c) but
(d) yet
Answer:
(c) but
II. Match the following:
| A | B |
| 1. fatally | a. tool for digging |
| 2. faithful | b. lost consciousness |
| 3. seized | c. loyal and true |
| 4. fainted | d. took by force |
| 5. spade | e. seriously |
Answer:
1 (e), 2. (c), 3. (d), 4. (b), 5. (a).
III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. “I have come to you, to ask you to answer three questions”.
Question a.
Who said this?
Answer:
The king said this.
Question b.
Who does ‘you’ refer to?
Answer:
‘you’ refers to the hermit.
Question c.
Did he answer immediately?
Answer:
No, he did’not answer immediately. He did not speak to the king in the beginning:
2. “If I live, I will serve you as your most faithful servant.”
Question a.
Who said it?
Answer:
The wounded man said it.
Question b.
Who does ‘you’ refer to?
Answer:
You refer to the king.
Question c.
Why did he say?
Answer:
He had planned to kill the king. But king saved his life by dressing his wound.
3. “You have already been answered”
Question a.
Who said this?
Answer:
Hermit said this.
Question b.
To whom was it said?
Answer:
It was said to the king.
Question c.
When did he say?
Answer:
He said this to the king when the king asked him to answer his questions for the last time.
IV. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Who is the writer of the story “The Three Questions”?
Answer:
Count Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist and moral philosopher is the writer of this story.
Question 2.
Why did the king decide to seek the advice of the hermit?
Answer:
The king did not get satisfying answers for his questions. All the answers were so different. So, he decided to meet a certain hermit, who was widely known for his wisdom.
Question 3.
How did the king go to meet the hermit?
Answer:
The king put on ordinary clothes and went to meet the hermit. Before he reached the hermit’s hut the king left his horse with his bodyguard and went alone.
Question 4.
“Why was the king very happy”?
Answer:
The king was very happy to have made peace with his enemy so easily and to have won him over as a friend.
V. Give the opposites of:
Answer:
- right × wrong
- important × unimportant
- large × small
- strict × liberal
- wise × stupid, dull
- satisfied × dissatisfied
- necessary × unnecessary
- kill × save, protect, rescue
VI. Give one word for the following:
- A person carrying a message.
- Small patches of ground for plants.
- A person who lives alone, and leads a simple life.
- Group of people chosen to advice.
Answer:
- Messenger
- Beds
- Hermit
- Council.
The Three Questions Summary in English
‘The three questions’ is a story written by Count Leo Tolstoy. It is the story of a king who has three questions and he is seeking answers to them.
He had a thought that he would never fail in life, if he knew three things. The three things were: What was the right time to begin something? Whom should a king consider the most important? What was the most important thing for a king to do?
So he sent messengers throughout his kingdom, promising a large sum to anyone who could answer these three questions. Many wise men came to the king, but they all answered his questions differently.
In reply to the first question, some said that the King must prepare a time table and then follow it strictly. Others said that the king should do whatever seemed necessary at that time and so on.
In their answer to the second question, some said that the people most necessary to the king were his councillors. Others said that priests, doctors, and soldiers were the most necessary. To the third question, some said attack, others said fight, and yet others religious worship.
The king was not satisfied because the answers to his questions were so much invariance. So, he went to meet a hermit who was famous for his wisdom. The Hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. He greeted the king and continued digging. King told the hermit the purpose of his visit. The hermit listened to the King but did not speak. King took pity on the hermit and started to help him in digging the ground, but whenever he asked his questions, the hermit gave no answers. At sunset, they saw a bearded man running towards them.
His hands were pressed against his stomach from which blood was flowing. When he reached the king he fainted and fell on the ground. King and the hermit dressed his wound to stop the bleeding. The man closed his eyes and lay quiet. King also laid down on the floor and slept through the night.
In the morning, the bearded man pleaded with the king to forgive him. King did not know who he was. The Man said that he knew the king. He was an enemy of the king, had sworn revenge on the king because the king had killed his brother and seized their property. He had made up his mind to kill him on his way home. But the king’s bodyguard recognized him and wounded him.
He escaped from him. He would have died if the king had not dressed his wound. King had saved his life, though he had made a plan to kill him. He promised the king that he would serve him as the most faithful servant. The king was very happy to have made peace with his enemy so easily and to have won him over as a friend. He not only forgave him but he promised the man to give back his property.
Later the king went up to the hermit and requested the hermit to answer his questions. Hermit said that the king had already been answered. Hermit gave clarification for the king’s pity on hermit and bearded man, his helping nature in time, doing good to hermit and the wounded man.
The Hermit told the king that there is only one time that is important and that time is ‘Now’, It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power to act.
Further, he told the king that the most necessary person is the one with whom a person is at that particular moment. The most important business is to do good to that person, because we are sent into this word for that purpose alone. Thus, the hermit answered the questions of the king. The king became happy and returned back to his kingdom.
The Three Questions Summary in Kannada
